Yet this scenario is not quite how things happen in the workplace, is it?

Realistically, each Monday morning, very few of us wander into an oasis of collaboration and harmony. Rather, we intentionally – or unintentionally – get dragged into the workplace-as-a-battleground. Rife with Us versus Them mindset. Conflicted strategies, departmental fiefdoms and lots and lots of egos.

Get started Tomorrow. Purchase a copy ofDo YOU Mean Business?Today! 16 incredibly simple workplace collaboration hacks to move you one millimeter beyond Today’s perceived risk of collaborating with people who currently intimidate you. That is your Opportunity for Professional Success!

Ultimately, perpetuating conflicting workplace agendas is self-focused, rather than customer-focused. Think about it.

Collaborative workplace experiences are more productive and profitable than dysfunctional ones.

Seriously, isn’t this common sense? However, most of us think about collaboration as a fairy-tale environment. Where everyone continuously loves on one another. The volume of speaking voices barely raises above a whisper.

What a mythology! That is why we are attracted and devoted to, if not obsessed by, workplace drama. The never-ending reality show which becomes far more entertaining and engaging than our notion of “collaboration.” Collaboration just does not seem to be, well, “sexy,” does it?

Isn’t this type of positive drama a far more attractive and appealing use of your emotions and brain power than perpetuating negative workplace dysfunction?

Hey, how about “The Rock” or “The Avengers” series? A bunch of people from different backgrounds (and/or galaxies) unwillingly thrown together to solve problems. And save the world. The heroes both are emotional and, at the same time, completely logical. Yet, they are flawed and imperfect beings. While they continuously challenge each other’s ideas and approaches to solving problems. Sure they have their differences. However, resolving the big issues remains their priority.

What is the big hairy issue that you and your cross-functional colleagues should be working on Today, Tomorrow and the Future? Collaboratively.

Because collaborative workplace experiences may just be the one oasis we all have from the cacophony of social noise and cross-purpose which bombards us once we leave the workplace.

Looking for a dynamic speaker for your next organization or association meeting? Mykeynote and workshopson how professional intimidation creates customer experience gaps focuses on the issues we are talking about in today’s blog post.

When we, yes we, choose to continuously create collaborative workplace experiences, we all move one millimeter forward. Beyond what is comfortable Today. To traverse that small but mighty distance of Risk, each day. When we serve each other better and better, we also create better and better customer experiences. The kind of experiences contributing to customer success and customer retention.

How will you use your talents, skills and voice, Today? How might your actions better serve your customers, Tomorrow and in the Future?

Babette Ten Haken’s One Millimeter Mindset™ speaking programs showcase how profitable collaboration between STEM professionals, knowledge workers and manual workers bridges customer experience gaps. Her professional speaker profile appears on the espeakers platform. She is a member of SME, ASQ, SHRM and the National Speakers Association. Babette’s Playbook of collaboration hacks, Do YOU Mean Business? is available on Amazon.com.